[Mimedefang] About certain variables lifecycle

[David F. Skoll]

Javier Kohan wrote:

> I have read in mimedefang-filter that certain variables (like $RelayAddr
> et al) exist only in filter_sender and filter_recipient, but I observed
> many times that in fact they are set in filter_begin.

They are, in fact, set in filter_begin.  From the man page (my emphasis):

GLOBAL VARIABLES SET BY MIMEDEFANG.PL

       The following global variables are set by mimedefang.pl and are  avail-
       able  for use in your filter.  ALL OF THESE VARIABLES ARE ALWAYS AVAIL-
       ABLE TO FILTER_BEGIN,  FILTER,  FILTER_MULTIPART  AND  FILTER_END.   In
       addition,  some of them are available in filter_relay, filter_sender or
       filter_recipient.  If this is the case, it will be noted below.


> Similary, why the man page says that read_commands_file should only be
> called from filter_recipient and filter_sender ?

Because it's automatically called prior to filter_begin, so calling it
again is redundant.

Regards,

David.